The Lost City Trek, Colombia: All You Need to Know

We were out of breath, having just climbed 1,200 stone steps when Celso, our indigenous guide, called for us to join him around a group of stones arranged in a circle in a clearing. In the middle of the circle stood another square stone on top of which lay a pile of coca leaves placed as an offering. Celso explained with trademark calm in a slow, deliberate voice, “This is a place where we should let go of our impurities, our negative thoughts and emotions.”

We stood in silence, not only to “cleanse” ourselves so that we might better experience this sacred site, but also to enjoy its peace and quiet. To Celso, we were then prepared to further visit Teyuna, otherwise known as the Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida), the ultimate destination to which we’d been trekking in the rainforest for the previous two days.

The Lost City Trek, as it’s called, takes you 46km (28 miles) round trip through the jungles, hills and river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in northern Colombia. We’d had our sights set on this trek for years, so expectations had built up. Fortunately, the challenge, landscape, and experience exceeded so many of them.

Here’s why. Here’s also why you might want to consider putting the Lost City Trek on your travel wish list, in case it isn’t there already. We’ve also included all you need to know to plan, prepare for and enjoy this trek.

Update: After many requests for a PDF copy of this guide, you can now buy The Lost City Trek: A Beginner's Guide with all the information you see in this article, plus some additional details from questions that have been asked of us over the years. We hope you find it useful for planning and preparing for your upcoming Lost City Trek!

A taste of landscape along the Lost City Trek.

We have divided this article into different sections based on questions we've received. Skip ahead to what interests you most:

What to Expect on the Lost City Trek: Day by Day

When I researched the Lost City Trek, I found a fair bit of conventional history about the site, often paired with a photo or two of the final destination, including what I refer to as the “golf course” shot.Us in front of the “golf course” shot.

What I didn’t find much of was the nature of the actual journey there. The trail and landscape is more beautiful and varied than we had expected and the Lost City site itself is far more extensive than most photos indicate. We especially appreciated having an indigenous guide.

Celso, a member of the local Wiwa indigenous community, shared his culture with us and linked it to the other indigenous communities, their relationship to nature and their shared connection to the ancient Tayrona civilization.Our Wiwa guide, Celso, with his poporo, a gourd used for carrying crushed seashells (lime).
Our days usually began early, around 5:00 A.M., so we could get on the trail while it was still cool and so that we could complete our day’s journey before the rains of the mid-late afternoon. We appreciated getting up early, and we enjoyed all the benefits of the early morning – light, coolness and silence among them.

Note: The route below is the Lost City four-day route that we took. If you opt for a five-day trek then your second and third days will be shorter, as you'll have two days to complete the entire route. Your day 4 and 5 will look the same day 3 and 4 below.

Day 1

All Lost City treks seem to set off from Santa Marta. From there, a jeep or van transfer takes 45 minutes along the highway, during which you’ll still have some cell coverage.

You’ll likely stop at a convenience store for last minute snacks and water and the final bit of mobile phone connectivity. From there, you’ll head up a dirt track into the mountains.

After you arrive in Machete, you’ll have lunch, then begin the hike. (Note: this is when you should ask the people coming off the trek if they have a walking stick they can give you. It is really helpful for balance and ease on the trail.)

The beginning of the walk eases you into things, with a swimming hole a close 25 minutes from the trailhead. After cooling off in the water, you’ll have a steep uphill for around 45 minutes, then a bit of a break, then a long descent into the valley where Adán, the first campsite, is located.

The first of several swimming holes along the trail.Everything on the trail comes up on the backs of mules or horses.Enjoying the view during a fruit and water break, Day 1.Steep terrain into the valley of the first campsite.

Day 2

Start/Finish: Adán Camp (Campsite #1) to El Paraiso Camp (Campsite #3)Distance: 14.7km
This is a long trekking day. The first segment of the day takes you uphill and across some beautiful terrain, including some local farms. After a jump in a swimming hole and lunch at Campsite #2 (Wiwa Camp), you continue all the way to Campsite #3 (El Paraiso), located only 1km downhill from the site of the Lost City.

This day takes you through a great deal of varied landscape — deeper into the tropical jungle, across rivers and by a couple of Kogi village communities along the way.

The trail crosses Rio Buritaca several times during the journey.When the river is too high, you cross in a mid-air cage-like contraption. Don't worry, it's more secure than it looks.Passing by a small Kogi village.A little rain never hurt anyone…After the rains, enjoying the open landscape.

Day 3

Start/Finish: El Paraiso Camp (Campsite #3) to Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2), via the Lost CityDistance: 13.6km
You rise very early on this day (around 4:30A.M.) so that you can set off at dawn and enjoy the Lost City in the softest light and coolest air possible. After a short walk from the campsite, you reach the starting point of the 1,200 stone stairs you’ll need to walk and scramble to reach the terraces of the city above.

It’s not an easy climb, and can be a bit treacherous if wet or damp, but if you take care and get into a meditative rhythm, you’ll find it goes very quickly.Slow and steady up 1,200 carved stairs.

After the steps, you’ll have reached the lower chambers of Teyuna, also known as The Lost City. It is believed that this was a capital city built by the Tayrona civilization in 800 A.D., approximately 600 years before the Incas built Machu Picchu in Peru.

When Spanish colonialists came close to finding or approaching the in the 16th century, the Tayrona people opted to abandon the city instead of allowing it to fall into Spanish hands.

Two Kogi men return from the upper chambers of Teyuna.

Teyuna was then overtaken by jungle for the next several hundred years, as only the shaman (holy men) of the four indigenous groups who live in the area were aware of its existence and would visit it regularly for ceremonies.

It wasn’t until the early 1970s that the site was “discovered” by the outside world. Tomb thieves cleared out much of the gold, valuable artifacts and other remains. Due to this misfortune and the fact that no written record of the Tayrona exists, much about the city and civilization remains the subject of speculation.

Celso explains the competing theories of the Lost City version of the Rosetta Stone.

The Wiwa, Kogi, Arhuaco, and Kankuamo indigenous groups that remain in the area are believed to be the descendants of the Tayrona and have carried on their stories and traditions.

We noticed when we arrived at the Lost City, Celso let down his hair, the surprising length of which is said to represent the wisdom that flows from the sacred mountains through the rivers to the coast. He was dressed in white, as was his custom, to represent the purity and integrity of the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, out of sight in the distance.Celso leads us to the upper terraces of Teyuna, the Lost City.

Throughout our journey, he shared stories that had been passed on to him, through generations, from shaman to shaman, from elders to children, about the Lost City. The stories told of its creation, the symbolism of the different terraces, and the Tayrona relationship with nature.

The indigenous that inhabit the area believe they are the symbolic “elder brothers,” there to protect both the sacred Sierra Nevada Mountains and their “younger brothers” – meaning the rest of us. The sense of responsibility to the equilibrium and the good and health of others was evident.

Approaching the upper chambers of the Lost City.

After your visit to the Lost City, you return to El Paraiso (Campsite #3) for a quick lunch and begin your return all the way to Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2). For us, we were met with an afternoon downpour that made it feel as though we were skiing through mud crevasses in the rainforest. We were glad for the experience; it was actually more delightful than it sounds.After the rains, watching the clouds rise up through the hills.

Day 4

Start/Finish: Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2) to Machete/El MameyDistance: 12.7km
This is another early rise since much of the trail is uncovered, and therefore becomes quite hot. You try to make it as far as you’re able before the sun becomes too strong.

As you’ll remember from your first day, much of the trail is up or down, without much in between. After a stop for fruit at the first campsite and a jump in the swimming hole, you find yourself back where you began, with a celebratory lunch in Machete.Through a limestone path en route to Machete.

Back where we started, at the trail head sign in Machete.

Lost City Trek Difficulty Level and Conditions

We’d give this trek a medium-high difficulty ranking for all the reasons we’re about to elaborate. This means that you should not require special training to trek the Lost City trail, but you should be relatively active and in good physical shape. You should either be accustomed to or be prepared for day-long treks with steep, slow uphill climbs and very long walks in intense heat and humidity.

Not a Technical Trail

The Lost City Trek is not at all technical, meaning that you will not need any special equipment (e.g., climbing ropes or other fittings). The trail is well-maintained and for the most part, it’s an easy path to follow. But, it’s necessary to have a guide to navigate the rivers and some turns.

Through the tropical forest on the way to the Lost City stairs.

You’ll have to cross a few streams or rivers — with waterproof shoes on, or with your shoes and socks in your hand — but that is part of the fun.

Altitude, Steep Hills and Valleys

Altitude is not really an issue, as the trek’s highest point is around 1,500 meters/4,920 feet. However, the Lost City trail seems to either be straight up or straight down without much flat.

Our advice is to take it slow and steady on the uphill. Keep in mind that it’s not a race. It’s better to proceed deliberately and take fewer breaks than to quickly wear yourself out and have to recuperate with frequent and longer stops.

Heat and Humidity

One of the challenges of this trek is the combination of heat and humidity. I’m not sure we’ve ever poured sweat with such intensity and consistency. It actually felt great, like a cleansing process.

Just be sure that you drink plenty of water to replenish. Note that respite from the heat comes a couple of times a day in the form of rivers and swimming holes to jump into.

Bugs

Another challenge and irritation of this trek: bugs and their bites. There are lots of them, especially mosquitoes at the Lost City itself. We suggest applying plenty of bug repellent (bring on the DEET if you need to).

If you are especially susceptible to mosquito bites consider trekking in long trousers. Finally, pick up a pack of generic B-complex tablets (“Compejo-B generico” runs 25 pills for $1.00), as certain B vitamins are said to repel mosquitoes.

Another thing to watch out for are fleas and/or bedbugs in the hammocks and/or blankets at the campsites – this is where we collected most of our bug bites (especially campsite #2). We recommend carrying a sleep sack, so that you have another layer of protection while you are sleeping.

Finally, check your body closely for ticks when you emerge from the Lost City Trek. We each had a few on us; they are very tiny and difficult to see, so look closely. (Note: For advice on how to properly remove a tick, check out this article.)

Rain and Mud

We had been warned plenty about rain and mud, but didn’t find wet weather too much of a hindrance. Yes, it rained from time to time (usually mid-afternoon), but we were often so hot anyway that the cool rain was welcome.

Be certain any valuable electronic gear is well-protected and any dry sleeping clothes are at least wrapped in plastic (e.g., ziploc or garbage bags). If you fall in the mud, just go with the flow and don’t think about it too much. You can always wash yourself and your clothes later.A little rain and mud just adds to the excitement.

Food

You will certainly not go hungry on this trek. Each group is assigned a cook and not only will you be served three large meals a day (e.g., fish and rice, pasta, chicken and potatoes), but you will also enjoy well-placed fruit stops along the trail. These are very welcome for the additional boost of energy and hydration just when you need it.

Enrique, our cook, made us a feast every dinner.

If you are vegetarian or have food restrictions, alert your trekking company and your guide in advance so they can respond accordingly.

Campsites and Sleeping Arrangements

There are a handful of campsites along the way, so we can only speak to the ones that we stayed in — Adán Camp, Wiwa Camp, and El Paraiso. Not always, but often, you’ll have an option to sleep in a hammock or on a mattress/bed (both with mosquito nets). We always chose the hammocks, but some may prefer mattresses.

There are cold water showers and flush toilets at all the campsites. Clotheslines will be strung around so you’ll be able to hang up your wet clothes from the day. However, the rainforest is damp so do not expect anything to fully dry overnight, if at all. Evenings also get cool, so keep a long-sleeved shirt or fleece handy at night.Sleeping along the Lost City Trek. Hammocks covered with mosquito nets.

Organizing The Lost City Trek: Your Options

Choosing a trekking operator

You cannot do the Lost City Trek independently (at this time), meaning you must go with one of the four or five authorized operators. We took our Lost City Trek with G Adventures and can highly recommend the experience.

G Adventures work with a local organization that provides indigenous guides so that their travelers are able to learn about the indigenous cultures and communities still living in the Sierra Nevada mountain area. In addition, the Planeterra Foundation has worked with the local Wiwa community to build a community enterprise that allows women to directly sell their handicrafts and serve traditional food to travelers. This allows them to share more of their culture with travelers and earn additional income for their families.

This means that the G Adventures' Lost City Trek experience now includes a visit to a Wiwa village on day 5 of the trek. There, trekkers enjoy a home-cooked meal made by local women and are able to learn even more about Wiwa traditions, stories and beliefs.

Regardless of which operator you choose to take you on the Lost City Trek, select one that works with indigenous guides. The cultural and living history background is essential to a full Lost City trekking experience.

How many days do you need for the trek?

Most trekking operators offer four-, five- or six-day trek options. We did the Lost City Trek in four days, but all the standard G Adventures Lost City Trek offerings are five days. As the route is the same, the main difference is that a five-day trek includes a relaxed day #2 with only a few hours of trekking to the second campsite.

As for the six-day option, we can’t really imagine taking that much time to do the trek. But if you are worried about your trekking abilities and stamina then talk with an operator regarding what they suggest.

Leaving your luggage behind during the trek

Most accommodation and tour operators/trekking agencies will allow you to leave your big bags or luggage with them for the few days that you're doing the Lost City Trek. We left our big backpacks at our hotel in Santa Marta and we saw other travelers leave their bags at the tour operator/trekking agency office.

If you are not planning to return to Santa Marta after your trek, then try to make arrangements with the tour operator to bring your luggage to you at the end of the trek or to leave your luggage at the next place you will stay. Although we haven't heard of any problems with luggage and theft, it's always best to secure your luggage with locks.

Lost City Trek Packing List

Much of what we include in our How to Pack for a Trek article holds true here. However, we offer a customized Lost City Trek packing list to ensure you have what you need for the tropical rainforest conditions but don't overpack.

While there is the option on some of the route to hire a mule to carry belongings, it's best not to count on it. You should pack and plan as if you will be carrying your pack the entire length of the trail.

Drinking Water

You will go through several liters of water each day (if not, then you’re not drinking enough) since you’ll be sweating constantly. Bring with you 1-2 refillable water bottles (or buy a 1 or 1.5 liter bottle of water before you go) so that you always have at least one liter of water on you at all times.

Each campsite offers clean water, so you can refill your water bottles every couple of hours on the trail. Alternatively, pack a foldable water bladder into your backpack.

Consider bringing Gatorade powder packets or similar electrolyte sports drink mix with you to help you replenish some of the minerals that you’ll sweat out each day. And let’s face it, sometimes drinking liters of water gets boring and you want some flavor.

Walking Stick

We highly recommend carrying a walking stick. We were very thankful for ours, especially when things got muddy and slippery. Trekkers just finishing and on their way out of the trail donated their wooden sticks to us. If this doesn’t happen, then ask your guide for one and he will find a walking stick for you, or fashion one for you with his machete.A walking stick, even a basic one like this, is essential for this trek.

Clothing

You really don’t need much in this department. Don’t worry about packing clean clothes for each day, as you will be sweating buckets within minutes every morning of getting out on the trail. Here’s what we suggest:

1 set of hiking clothes: T-shirt (preferably quick dry), shorts, hiking socks. This means you will wear the same clothes every day. Don’t worry about it. Everyone does it. And you’ll be thankful not to carry the weight of extra clothes. Note: if mosquitoes love you, consider wearing trekking pants the whole time. Dan did this and it cut down on his mosquito bites considerably. If you are especially sun-sensitive, consider bringing a very light long-sleeved hiking shirt, but be aware that you may be warm.

Hiking shoes: We wore low-rise Vasque hiking shoes (his and hers) and were fine. Other people wore light trainers, however some mid-ankle support is useful because of the pitch of the terrain.

1 set of evening clothes for post-shower and sleep: T-shirt, long pants (or pajama bottoms), socks. To ensure these remain dry, pack them in a plastic bag or other impermeable container inside your backpack.

Extra t-shirt: Just in case.

Underwear for every day of your trek: With an extra pair thrown in for good measure, if you like. Recommended his and hers.

Extra pair of socks: Just in case your first pair get soaked beyond comfort while rock jumping at the river crossings.

Bathing suit: Keep near the top of your backpack to have handy for swimming holes.

Fleece jacket: For cool nights or sleeping (can double as a pillow, too).

Rain jacket(optional): We didn't use ours due to the heat and humidity. We appreciated the cool rain. Not to mention, a rain jacket in the tropics can feel like a personal sauna.

Flip-flops or river shoes (e.g., Tevas): To use in river crossings, showers, and evenings when you wish to get out of your hiking shoes.

Other Trekking Gear

Waterproof backpack cover: You never know when a rainstorm will hit, so it’s essential to keep a rain cover for your backpack close at hand. Your guide will likely also have a supply of plastic garbage bags in case you need extra rain protection.

Quick-dry travel towel: To dry off after showers, and also after a swim. Hang it on the outside of your backpack in the morning so it dries quickly in the sun and air as you move.

Silk sleep sack: To provide an extra layer between you and the hammock (or mattress) and blanket. Fleas and other bugs in the hammocks bit us and other travelers we spoke to.

Headlamp: Most of the campsites do not have electricity, so be prepared. Carry your own headlamp to find your way to the toilet and to sort through your stuff at night in and around your hammock.

Silicone earplugs: A precaution in the case your camp has a snorer. We know from our Lost City trail experience that this can demolish a good night’s sleep.

Toiletries and Health Kit

You will have access to a shower every evening, and you will be so thankful for the cold water shower to wash away all the sweat and salt on your body from the day’s efforts.

Bug repellent: You will apply this frequently, especially at the Lost City itself. The mosquitoes there are big, aggressive and plenty.

Hand sanitizer: To be on the safe side.

Pack of tissues or toilet paper: The campsites all have toilet paper, but it’s always a good idea to carry a pack of tissues in case of messes, spills or emergencies.

Vitamin B Complex: Take one pill per day (called Complejo-B in Spanish, available at pharmacies in Colombia). Supposedly, mosquitoes don’t appreciate the smell and taste of your blood when B-1 Thiamine is present. It is debatable whether this really works to repel mosquitoes, but we appreciated using it and felt that it helped.

Duct tape: Very effective for hot spots and blisters on your feet. Also consider picking up some Compeed, which is magic when you already have blisters.

Medical Kit (for emergencies): Band-Aids, anti-bacterial gel (for cuts), rehydration powders, ciprofloxacin (or another medication against stomach bacteria), Tylenol (anti-headache/aches), Immodium (or some sort of “stopper” if you get diarrhea), tea tree oil (great to apply to mosquito bites) Note: all these are easily and inexpensively purchased at local pharmacies, including in Santa Marta from where you depart for the trek.

Electricity and Charging Batteries

While a couple of the campsites do have electricity, it’s unreliable. Prepare yourself for not having access to electricity during the trek. Some tips to handle this and further your battery power.

Put your smartphone on airplane mode. There is no connectivity along the trek anyhow, so don't waste your phone’s battery power trying to find a network.

Don’t spent time reviewing your images, as this will eat up your battery power quickly. Unless you are reviewing images to determine whether you’ve captured a specific shot, there will be time enough for photo review when your trek is finished.

Have other questions about the Lost City Trek? Just ask in the comments below and we’ll incorporate the information into the article so others may benefit.

If you enjoyed this online guide, you can now buy The Lost City Trek: A Beginner's Guide in PDF format so you can take it with you. It includes all the information you see in this article, plus some additional details from questions that have been asked of us over the years. We hope you find it useful for planning and preparing for your upcoming Lost City Trek!

If you plan to book this or another tour with G Adventures, please consider starting the process by clicking on the image below. The price stays the same to you and we earn a small commission to keep sharing articles like this with you. Thank you!

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About Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott is a writer, storyteller, speaker and tourism development consultant. She aims to help turn people's fears into curiosity. She harbors an obsession for artichokes and can bake a devastating pan of brownies. You can keep up with her adventures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And you can learn more about her on the About Page and on LinkedIn.

I don’t know of an outdoors store in Santa Marta, but I’m sure the trekking agency you decide to work with will be able to recommend a place to either buy or rent equipment. Otherwise, you could pick trekking gear up in Bogota.

Great travel expedition in Machete. I am thrilled about the encounter you had with Teyuna, the Lost City. I am planning to tour all such attractions during my stay in Columbia so that I could have an amazingly beautiful trekking experience as well. Thanks for sharing!

Hello there!
thank you so much for the very detailed article. i am actually going to colombia in 2 weeks and planned to do the same tour. you helped me a lot with your information.
thanks a lot
enjoy travels!
isabella

Yes, we definitely found the Lost City trek route very safe. The area had a history over 10 years ago in paramilitary and guerrilla activity, but it is currently not an issue for trekkers. If you’re curious about our thoughts on safety throughout the rest of Colombia, you might enjoy this article; https://uncorneredmarket.com/colombia-travel/

Fantastic resource! We’ve really started to get into hikes and trails and this is precisely the information we really appreciate but seldom find! We’re looking to head that way, sooner rather than later, so we’ve bookmarked this for when we make it there!

Laura, we completed the trek in early June. As Colombia is so close to the equator we’re told that the temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year, so expect it to be hot and steamy. We’re told November is usually part of the rainy season so you may have more rains than we did, but with it being so hot the rains are actually kind of refreshing 🙂 Have a great trek!

This is a great overview of the trek. I did it three years ago and it would have been handy to have this info beforehand. We signed up for the five-day trek and ended up shuffling groups and doing it in four. From what I remember, day three would have been pretty short with a lot of sitting around, and we were eager to get to the city!

Thanks for the kind words about this post! Our goal was to write all the information and advice we would have wanted to know before taking this trek. Definitely understand wanting to get to the Lost City faster and opting for the four days instead of five 🙂

Emily, good question! We left our big backpacks with the majority in left luggage at our hotel in Santa Marta. When we finished the trek we were very thankful to have some clean clothes in those bags 🙂

Hola Audrey, awesome blog. You would be laughing i am from Colombia but living in Colorado, USA. I am a photographer. So, i am concerned in hiking with my slr camera, lenses and tripod. Do you have time to photograph landscaping? Can you photograph the natives ? Thanks a lot for your help, G

Germán, thanks for your kind words about our blog! as for your questions, we did trek with a DSLR camera (but no tripod) and found there was time to photograph landscapes. I would recommend packing a dry sack for your gear as you may run into crazy rains along the way. As for photographing the indigenous people we met along the way we would always ask permission through our guide or directly. Some people were OK, while others preferred not to have their photos taken. So, it really depends on the situation and the people you happen to meet.

Hi – thanks so much for this information – so useful! I have two questions for you as I’ve heard a couple of horror stories. Firstly, were there parts where you found yourself clinging to cliff-edges with sheer drops below? Secondly, I know it’s the jungle and there’s a host of wildlife around – it’s their habitat! But were you finding gigantic spiders and snakes at every corner?

1. I don’t remember any cliff-edges or sheer drops from our Lost City Trek. Dan is afraid of heights and really hates that type of stuff, so he certainly would have remembered that 🙂

2. No gigantic spiders or snakes that we saw. What you do need to watch out for are the little bugs – mosquitos, fleas, bedbugs. That’s why it’s good to bathe yourself in bug spray and wear loose long sleeves in the early evening when the bugs like to come ou.

Hanah, it is required that you trek with an authorized company for the Lost City Trek so reservations are required. The reason for this is that it’s a natural heritage area and site so this requirement is for conservation and protection. Maybe it’s possible to adjust some of your itinerary to prioritize this expense? It is a great hike!

Just back after our four day trek and your check lists was a great resource. We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend this to others. A few updates which I think are worth mentioning.

* Although not a technical trek, a high level of fitness is suggested. You will enjoy the walk much more. There are only up bits and down bits. And on the way back this is reversed.
* Parts of the track are very poor and require good footwear and concentration. We walked in the dry season, I would hate to think what the mud would be like during the wet.
* It is possible to buy water and other drinks along the route to supplement what you cary. We did take our own purification tablets as extra precaution to what was used by the local camps.
* All out bedding seemed to be clean and fresh and no bed bugs. Perhaps this is more seasonal. However I would suggest a sleep sack.

In response to Leila above there are no sheer drop offs or cliffs. There is one section where the track gets very narrow and you need to watch your step. As our guide warned us “stop before taking a picture”. No ropes were needed.

Mark, great to hear that this article was helfpul for your trek and thanks for your feedback and follow-up from your recent trip. I do agree that a certain level of fitness will help you enjoy the trek more, as we saw a few people who decided to go by horse/donkey for part of the time because they didn’t feel good in the heat and hills. Very glad to hear that the bedding was clean and fresh! Hopefully, that’s the norm from now on, but a sleepsack is always good to be on the safe side.

We trekked in late May/early June, but I believe February and March would also be good times for the Lost City trek as it’s in the dry season. That means you won’t have to deal with as much mud or flash storms. And, the mosquitos might possibly be less as well 🙂 Good luck and enjoy your trek!

I really wanna do this trail, but is insecure about the wildlife out there 🙂 I am totally panicking if there is mice around me, especially in my camp. I can’t really find anything about this online, so either they are so common that people are not even bothering mentioning them, or they are not there? And what about other wildlife?

Hi Sisse,
I really do not remember mice at the Lost City Trek campsites. This is in contrast to the Torre del Paine campsites in Chile where mice were everywhere ate through people’s food bags. As for other wildlife, the biggest bother are mosquitos and fleas/bed bugs (although someone who trekked more recently said he didn’t experience them). We didn’t see any snakes or other such creatures on the trails (as opposed to Australia where we came across several poisonous snakes), but as this is a jungle you should be prepared that it’s always a possibility. Hope this helped push you over the edge to do the trek!

Thank you so much for your answer! It definitely helps a lot. I know that you never know, but if you didn’t see 50 mice every night in camp why should we? I have been to Alice Spring and meet 100s of mice, and that was a great surprise and really freaked me out 😉 So I guess that Torre del Paine isn’t the place to go 😀 Now I can’t wait to go, thanks for this great blog post with so many great advices 🙂 Happy Spring!

I never wrote a big fat thank you! This blog post really made me take the jump doing this, and me and my boyfriend had such a great experience! It was a hard trek, but it was worth it! So thank you SO much!

We will travel to Colombia in June for three weeks. We were thinking to do this trek, (certainly after reading this article) but we have one more question:
What with your big backpacks? We’ll both have a large backpack with us packed for three weeks, is there any place/option you can leave your big backpack and take your smaller one with you for the trek? 🙂

Hi Tine,
You have two good options for your big backpacks. Leave them at the hotel where you’re staying before (and after). Or, leave them at the trekking agency’s office. We did the first option, and saw others do the second. Hope you do the trek – it’s really wonderful!

We are now one week back from our amazing trip to Colombia.
The Lost City Trek was our highlight. It was amazing. All things you described were spot on.
Thanks again for the article, it’s an experience we’ll never forget!

This article is great! I’m traveling through Peru right now and headed to Colombia next and am really hoping to do this trek. But I also have some questions about backpacks. K have two with me right now: one 65 liter and one 20 liter. The 65 liter one is way too big and I’m assuming the 20 liter is too small. Did you see any companies renting out backpacks for the hike? Say around 30-40 liters?

Lauren, I didn’t see any companies renting out backpacks, but it’s always worth asking the trekking company you’re going with whether they offer that service. I imagine that someone in Santa Marta must.

You might be able to get away with just 20 liters since you really don’t need all that much with you…it’s really hot and everyone wears the same thing every day 🙂 With our trek, Dan carried a 30-liter backpack, but this was essentially for the two of us as I my backpack was mostly filled with camera equipment.

HI Audrey
Thanks for this reply about the backpack size to take. I’m doing the Trek at the end of this month ( Dec – 17) and initially though of taking a laptop bag.. but realised it would be too small. I had asked a colleague of mine who goes on big treks – 15 -20 days and he suggested a 25 liter backpack. I wanted to check with you if that seems like an ok size – I’m going on my own.

Hi Vivek,
We did take our laptop backpack with us on the Lost City Trek and it worked fine. Since it’s a hot climate and food it provided at the campsites you really don’t need to take very much with you. If you do want to get a more proper trekking backpack, a 25-liter backpack would be a good size. Have a great trip!

Hi Arleen,
Thanks! Glad the guide is useful! We carried a Nikon D7100 and for most of the time we had it in the camera bag, but when it did start raining or with river crossings we put the camera bag into a dry sack. Our guide also carried extra thick garbage bags to help protect things from the rain. Hope this helps!

Your blog has helped me immensely in my thoughts of preparations for this hike. I have bookmarked this site, and will use it as a bible in the next few weeks prior to. I’ll look forward to more of your inspirational travel stories as well. Thank you, and cheers!! Instagram: kirbythekoala

Hi there, thank you so much for your informative guide; I was quite nervous when a friend suggested doing this trek but am feeling more confident about doing it since reading your blog.

One question; I’ve been told by friends that you need to cross rivers that are chest deep. Did you find this to be the case when you went? I’d be doing it at the same time of year you did (soon!). I guess I’d be OK with that if there was a rope to hold onto and the water flow wasn’t too strong, I’d be OK with cage thing as per your picture – it’s just the getting swept away part that concerns me. Any insight specifically on river crossings much appreciated, Sarah.

Hi Sarah,
We certainly did not have any river crossings that were chest deep. The most I remember was perhaps a bit below the knee (I’m not that tall) so it wasn’t a problem with getting my shorts wet. When we did reach a crossing with high water our guide found a different area where the water wasn’t so high (eg, or had the cage). But, water levels do vary each year so perhaps it’s good to ask the trekking company in advance to be sure. Enjoy the trek!!

Thanks for the article, it’s really useful and well written. A friend and I are thinking of doing the trek in July, we’re wondering if you or anyone else knows how frequent the tours are e.g. Do they leave Santa Marta every day?

I believe that between the 3-4 companies offering tours you should find at least one departure a day in July. As mentioned above, we recommend going with a trekking company with indigenous guides. Enjoy!!

I’m planning this hike in July to celebrate my 40th and the fact that I’m now moving out of Colombia… this guide has been so helpful- thanks! 🙂 I have a question about footwear: I have a good pair of hiking boots, but would prefer keeping them dry-ish. Do I need a good pair of shoes for river crossings or will flip-flops be sufficient?

We used our Tevas (river shoes) for the river crossings and they worked fine. The currents weren’t very strong when we went, so a sturdy pair of flip-flops should probably be sufficient. Good luck and enjoy the trek! It’s a great way to celebrate!

Hi! Thanks for the care you put in to this blog! A friend and I are considering this trip but we only have 10 days in Colombia –arriving and departing in Cartagena. We are not sure that doing this trek will leave time to do anything else. I just had a clarifying question –Is there transportation arranged for the way back or do you have to walk back the same way you came in? Meaning is this really an 8 day trip? I am guessing not, but thought I would make sure.

Hi Ana,
Yes, transportation is arranged for your return to Santa Marta. From there you can easily hop a bus to Cartagena. It’s possible to do the trek in 4 days, and get returned to Santa Marta after lunch on that fourth day so you still have the afternoon to clean up and regroup. If you do the tour with G Adventures, they offer it in 5 days. Either way, you should be able to fit this trek pretty easily into a 10-day trip. Good luck!

I’m so glad I found your blog! This is all very helpful. This trek will be my second trip with G Adventures! I’ll be doing it next month. Do you think it makes sense to buy a mosquito net for my head during the day? Also, you mentioned ticks, That makes me extremely nervous. Were you able to easily remove them? Which vaccinations did you get before your trip? Do you suggest bring trekking poles or just using a stick? Last question (hopefully), did you encounter bed bugs? I hope to pack light like you and all your photos look amazing.

Hi Cheryl,
Glad this post was useful for your upcoming G Adventures Lost City Trek! I don’t think you need a mosquito net for your head during they day – they weren’t nearly as pesky and annoying as the bush flies in Australia (where we did end up buying a net to maintain our sanity). The ticks we picked up were quite small, but were easy to pick out with tweezers. If you’re concerned, perhaps pick up a proper tick-removing kit. At other times of year you might not encounter any ticks. As for vaccinations, it’s probably best if you have Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations to be on the same side (More info: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/colombia). We did notice either bed bug or flea bites (not sure which), but another commenter who went on this same trek after us said no one in his group got any bites like that. So, it may be that they’ve gone through and switched out/cleaned the hammocks or blankets.

We did not bring trekking poles with us, but instead when we first started the trek the group before us handed over their stick. Otherwise, your guide can easily find one along the way for you.

We both carried backpacks that were around 30L, but we could have probably gone even smaller as they weren’t completely full. Those were just what we were using for the rest of our Colombia trip so we repurposed them for the trek. As you know, the smaller and lighter, the better 🙂

Ms. Scott…
I am researching, writing and producing a 72-page curriculum guide about Colombia for the non-profit Memphis in May International Festival for the festival’s 2017 salute to their honored country of Colombia. This guide is printed and distributed to teachers in all elementary, middle and senior high school teachers throughout Memphis and Shelby County, and also presented in PDF form on their website (www.memphisinmay.org). I want to include a lesson plan about Colombia’s Lost City, but I think it would add a personal touch by having students reference your blog about your trek through the Lost City. The lesson plan would describe the Lost City, its location, history, ecological significance… and then would encourage students to “plan” for their own exploration of the area…. then referencing your blog for details from someone who had actually explored this great place (what to pack, how to prepare, what to expect, conditions). To do so, obviously, I would need your permission… and hopefully, to provide your permission for us to use on of the photos from your blog for reproduction with this lesson plan. I appreciate your consideration.

Hi Audrey and Daniel, this post about the Lost City is superb. I am flying to Colombia on Sat only for this trek. I initially was thinking G Adventures but then switched to a local company ( Expotur). However, Im very apprehensive about the possibility of diseases. I’m thinking malaria, zika etc. Can you please give a few pointers? Did you take any special vaccines/injections before doing this trip ?
Please advise.
Thanks

Hi Mayank,
Best protection is to try and prevent mosquitos and other bugs from biting you. As mentioned in the article above, we took B-Complex pills (bought at pharmacy in Santa Marta) and lathered on lots of insect repellent to keep away mosquitos (and other bugs). Dan also wore trousers the whole time as he often gets eaten by mosquitos. However, the mosquitos in the Lost City Trek area are not malaria mosquitos.

When we did our trek Zika was not an issue, but as I read on the CDC website there have been Zika cases found in Colombia recently. You should ask the tour company whether any Zika cases have been found specifically in the Lost City Trek area. Again, the best course of prevention is to try and avoid being bitten in the first place.

We always have the standard travel vaccinations up to date — Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, MMR, Tetanus — so we didn’t get any special vaccinations before doing this trek. Given that you are only going to Colombia for this trek, which is only a few days, I wouldn’t worry about getting special vaccinations for the trip.

Hi! I’m really interested in doing this trip and am in the middle of preliminary research. G Adventures looks like a great group to book with, but I found another trip through TripAdvisor for much less – just $399 for a 4 day trek. TripAdvisor doesn’t say which company will be in charge of the trek, however. Do you know why G Adventures charges so much for their trip (i.e. are they THAT much better than the other ones), and do you know of any reason why I shouldn’t book through TripAdvisor? Thanks so much for your tips and any additional insight you may have!

Hi Lizzie,
Some of the difference in price is probably connected the following reasons: G Adventures’ tour is seven days, meaning that the price is for a five-day trek and also includes hotel in Santa Marta the day before the trek and the day the trek ends. Additionally, they usually work with two indigenous guides if the groups are bigger than a certain size. This allows more interaction/engagement with the guides and also provides more support as one indigenous guide is at the front and the other is at the back. The G tours also have one of their own guides (CEOs) who helps with translation (as the indigenous guides don’t speak English), organize meals, sleeping arrangements, etc., and just work to smooth things over in case there are any heath or other issues. And, as it’s a big international company they also have lots of experience and a set process for handling emergencies or other unusual situations.

As I don’t know which tour is being offered through TripAdvisor, my thought is to see if you can ask a few questions before you book. Here’s what I would want to know:
1) Does the tour have an indigenous guide? For us, this indigenous perspective on history, nature, and culture really added to the trekking experience. Most of the tour companies operating Lost City treks do not have indigenous guides.

2) If you do not speak Spanish, then is there someone to translate for you? We saw that some of the other groups would have a translator in addition to the official guide.

Thank you so much, Audrey! That was immensely helpful (as is this blog post more generally). I think I’ll probably end up booking through Expotur, for the sole reason that I (unfortunately) don’t have 7 days for Santa Marta/the trek. Not sure if you keep in touch with the folks at G Adventures, but if you do, you may want to suggest that they look into possibly hosting a shorter 4 day trek. If they had that option now I would 100% go with them. Thanks again for your guidance. Your blog was actually the reason I started looking into this trek in the first place, and I can’t wait to spend my 30th birthday on it 🙂

Hi! I’m wondering where people stay before and after their hike to the Lost City. I’m planning to fly into Santa Marta from Bogota in a week from today, and wonder if it’s easy to go directly from the airport to the trekking office/departure location, or if it’s necessary to stay in Santa Marta on the eve of the trek. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for all the other info and tips in your article!

Hi Mary,
We stayed in Santa Marta the night before the trek began and I think this is the safest option. On the first day of the trek we began in Santa Marta and then had 2-3 hours of transport to the starting point of the trek. So, it may be kind of risky to try and go from the airport directly to the trekking office in case there’s a flight delay. The trekking company you are working with should be able to tell you what time they depart in the morning and then you can make your decision based on that. Good luck!

Matt, I don’t remember seeing any solo trekkers with a guide, but I’m sure you can put in a request with one of the authorized trekking companies to get your own private guide. Since a trekking guide/company is required for this trek it’s not really possible to walk it completely on your own. Some of the campsites are shared between trekking companies and some are independent.

Hi Audrey,
I loved your story on the Lost City. All your comments are so well thought out. Many thanks. My question is about the swimming holes and swimming in the river. I am a non swimmer. Are they very deep? How do I prepare?
Thanks.

Bhanu,
Some of the swimming holes do get deep in the center (e.g., a few meters), but you can always just stick to the edges and dip your body in the water there to cool off. One of the holes also had a sort of sitting area under a waterfall where you could just relax. The other thing is that you don’t have to go into the swimming holes. You can always just stick your feet in there to cool off and enjoy the atmosphere under the trees.

Thanks Audrey. I have one more question: did you wear a water proof sandals when crossing the river? I am planning to take my trekking shoes for the trek… but did not want to get them wet; hence is my question.
Thanks,
Bhanu

Bhanu, we both carried river shoes with us (e.g., Teva sandals) and sometimes we would change into them to cross rivers and other times we would take off our trekking shoes and just walk barefoot. It depended upon the depth and also whether the bottom of the river was rocky. We do recommend bringing a pair of river shoes/waterproof sandals/flip flops with you also for changing into at night to give your feet a break, wearing in showers/toilets, and walking around the campsites.

I have a question about this trek, as I am doing it in October (2016). I am not planning to take malaria tablets and just use DEET and take some precautions like wearing long sleeved top/bottoms etc. Could you please advice me on that?

Great that you’re doing this trek soon! The mosquitos along the Lost City Trek are not malaria mosquitos, so your plan of not taking any malaria medicine and focusing on preventing bites makes sense. If you really do dislike mosquito bites consider taking B-Complex pills as this is supposed to make you less attractive to mosquitos.

Thanks so much for this useful post, I really appreciate all of the detailed advice. Nick and I are planning on South America for 2017 (finally getting there!) and will hopefully do this trek as well. We’ll be in Colombia in November / beginning of December so I’m hoping the rains won’t be too bad. We’re in Grenada (southern Caribbean) right now and the rains have been few and far between this rainy season 🙂

Hi Dariece,
Great to hear that you’re descending upon South America soon! It seems like every year the rainy season and weather cycles change, so fingers crossed it won’t be too wet for your Lost City Trek later this year. Even if it is rainy, it’s warm rain and a great experience either way.

February is a great time for the Lost City Trek! This will be the end of the dry season so you should have very little (or perhaps no) rain so it shouldn’t be very humid. I believe temperatures will be in the 80s, so you’ll likely start your walking early in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat in the middle of the day.

I’d recommend to leave your main backpacks in Santa Marta either at the hostel or at the office of the trekking company you’re using. Then, just carry day packs with some clothes, camera, water bottle, sleep sack, etc. You can take a look at the packing list in this article for recommendations on what to bring. Enjoy the trek!

Hi Annie,
Glad this blog post was useful! We found that a stick picked up along the way sufficed, but if you would feel better with your own walking poles then bring your own if it’s easy to do. Just know that they may get a bit muddy along the way 🙂

Of your campsites (Adán Camp, Wiwa Camp, and El Paraiso), did all have the option to hammock camp? We have our own, bug-netted hammocks and would like to use them. This would solve the tick, flea, bedbug issues that you had. Tx -alan

Alan, at the campsites the hammocks were tied between wooden poles. You could either add yours or take one of the standard hammocks down and replace it with your own for the night. I don’t think this would be a problem at all, but perhaps just double check with the tour/trekking company you’re working with that it’s OK.

This article helps me a lot. would for example never had thought of bringing TP or a long sleeve shirt for sleeping in. 😀 going there at the end of the month for a 4 day trek. can’t wait.
Do you have any recommendations for hikes or tours around Sao Paolo, Brazil?

Gísli, so glad to hear that this article was helpful for your upcoming Lost City Trek! I’m afraid we haven’t yet been to Brazil, so cannot make any first-hand recommendations for Sao Paolo. Have a great trip!

My partner and I are planning a trek to the Lost City next month, February, 2017. We would be most grateful if you could help us with some logistics and other questions.

We are looking at the possibility of flying into Bogotá, Columbia and from there taking a flight to Santa Marta. Questions:

1. Is it necessary to begin from Santa Marta?
2. Did you book your trekking company in Santa Marta? Is that where you started?
3. Did you stay in the area before/after the trek? If so, were there other interesting adventures?
4. Did you explore the National Park, Tayrona nearby?
5. Did you find the bugs exceptionally bad on the trek to the Lost City?
6. We will have a couple of weeks to enjoy Columbia and would love to hear of any other activities you may have found in the area.

Hi Cecilia,
Great to hear you’re thinking of doing the Lost City Trek. As for your questions:

1) As far as I know, all of the treks begin in Santa Marta with a transfer out to the starting point (Machete). However, you could always coordinate with the trekking agency to meet the group at Machete if there’s something in the area you’d like to do first.

2) Our trek was through G Adventures and it was booked before we got to Santa Marta. However, there were other people we met at other tour companies/trekking agencies who booked their trek once they got to Santa Marta.

3) We only spent the night before/after in Santa Marta and it was a nice town, but don’t know that we needed to spend much more time there. Prior to Santa Marta we were in Cartagena and that’s worth spending a few nights.

4) Yes, we did explore Tayrona National Park before our Lost City Trek (and Cartagena). We did a great day trek out to Cabo San Juan. It’s also possible to spend the night out there if you prefer. It’s a beautiful area.

5) The bug were bad, but I don’t know if they were exceptionally bad. As mentioned in this article, we were also taking B-Complex vitamins which is supposed to deter mosquitos.

6) Colombia is beautiful and fascinating. For more ideas on what to do, check out our Experiential Guide with 25 things to do.

My friend and I are planning on going the end of March, the beginning of rainy season, that makes us slightly worried.
could you help us out what to expect regarding:
(1) height of rivers / slipperiness
(2) amount of rain / sun
(3) mosquitoes

It seems like you had a great adventure regardless of the visit being in the middle of the rainy season. I’m hoping that the rivers will not yet be too high and that part of the trip will be dry and sunny.

Hi Aliz,
Our trek was in early June, so more towards the end of the rainy season. The height of the rivers were fine for us – there was one spot that was high, but they had the cage contraption already set up to get across. All the other rivers were easy enough to walk across. But again, we went a couple of months later. As for rain, we had sunshine for most of the time, but there was one day with a big downpour that we waited out a little bit and then just decided to walk in the rain as it was warm. The mud did get a big slippery so the guide found me another stick and I used two sticks to go down some of the more slippery hills. But, it was all quite manageable.

Mosquitoes can get bad at times, which is why we recommend in this article to pick up B-Complex pills in Santa Marta (supposedly repels mosquitos), lather on bug cream, and wear long-sleeve shirts/pants (if necessary). The hammocks usually have mosquito netting around them so you shouldn’t be bothered at night.

Thanks for the write up. I have been to Colombia many many times, and always wanted to go to la ciudad perdida. Problem has been the age of the kids. They will be 10 and 13 at the end of the year and are fit and active (we trekked from Leticia in Amazonia 4 years ago, but that was a single day)..

Hi Andrew,
Good question regarding your kids. I’m inclined to say that if they are accustomed to heat and humidity they should be fine if you take things slowly with 5-6 days. However, I’d ask the trekking agency you’re planning to go with whether they have experience with kids of a similar age doing the trek. Also, donkeys can be hired for certain segments of the trek that might help as well. Good luck!

We’ve just done the trek and a 13 year old girl was part of our party. She doesn’t regularly do evercise but had no problem, she had to wait for us 50/60 year olds. She loved it, had a great time. What an amazing experience. We did the five day trek. Pack light, bring a warmer long sleeved top and trousers for evenings, itcanget a bit chilly. . Flip flops are good, we forded streams in bare feet. They were up to knee level at worse. We slept in beds every night, some had pillows, all had blankets and mosquito nets. Wear comfortable supportive shoes or boots, well worn in. Blisters aren’t icy fun. It rained once at night. The best thing we brought? Silk sleeping bag liners.
It was tough, I’m a reasonably fit 60 year old and found the long uphill climbs exhausting, but well worth it.

Wow, you guys are pretty hardcore, backpacking in the jungle, so to speak. Colombia has a rich culture, one I am only beginning to explore. It is as close to Eldorado as possible, and ancient artefacts reflect it. I will probably set on my own journey of Colombian discovery one day, route will be slightly different. Or possibly, I will digress to Los Nevados National park on my road there.

What great and wonderfully helpful information you have posted!!! We will be traveling for the trek in mid-March. It seems that you recommend the typhoid vaccination and felt that malaria pills may not be necessary, but I saw no mention of yellow fever?? Can you please comment on what you feel the latest vaccines and/or precautions might be to consider. Also, did you find the river to be moving quickly and difficult to cross??

The last article seems to indicate that Yellow Fever may be present in the Santa Marta/Tayrona National Park/Lost City area. I’d check with a nearby travel clinic just to confirm. One thing that has changed since our visit is the appearance of Zika in certain parts of Colombia. Unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be taken to prevent this so best thing is to cover up as much as you can.

When we trekked in early June the rivers were easy to cross. There was one place where it was high and fast, but there was a sort of cage contraption (see photo above) that was set up to go above the river. Our guide was quite careful in testing the waters first to make sure it was safe, and then finding another spot if he thought it could be dangerous.

Thought of just a couple more questions. We know the highest elevation is 5000 feet, but wondered if you knew the altitude in Santa Marta where we will be starting and/or at the Tayrona National Park where we have planned a day trip. Also, did you bring tablets, use a filter or steripen to treat the water provided at the campsites? Really appreciate your help. This is our first trip to hike in South America 🙂

Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park are both on the coast, so you’ll be starting at sea level and then working your way up to 5,000 feet. The campsites provide clean drinking water and we just drank that straight. However, if you do have concerns then I’d bring a steripen with you to be extra sure. As mentioned above, you might also want to bring some gatorade or electrolyte powder to mix with the water to replenish some of the minerals you’re sweating out.

Enjoy your first hiking trip in South America! Hope it’s the first of many!

Audrey…..Thanks so very much for your quick reply. Try as I might, I can’t seem to find the article you referenced about possible yellow fever in Santa Marta. Is there a way you can further guide me to that information.

Thank you for the information it was helpful and accurate in most circumstances. However, I was surprised with the food at the camps. Frankly, I never figure out who was the cook …

I went with Expotur , which has relatively large groups – When I went it was roughly 10+10 people. Moreover, different companies seem to share the same accommodation and food (with some exceptions). That brought the number of guests roughly to 30-35. Now add 10-15 of support staff and guides. We are talking about around 50 to be fed!

Cooking was thus done in mass production and the serving time was the same for all groups. In fact, at the peak time of lunch/dinner you may have around 10+ people in the kitchen doing various jobs including preparing food and salad. Obviously, if 10+ people are handing the food the notion of the cook is lost.

My impression was that in the kitchen “anything goes”. Several people (if not all) got a stomach ache during the trek but the last day was a “mayhem” at the toilets from the pasta and chicken. Also, a young man served me coffee in a dirty cup because he couldn’t find a washed one. I understand that during camping such events can happen, but the way I experienced it was a systematic lack of roles in the kitchen something which is a disaster waiting to happen and in fact, it did happen.

Stavros, thanks for your comment and information about the cooking/eating situation on your trek. When we went on the G Adventures Lost City Trek there were other people staying at the campsites, but we had our own cook who traveled with us and only cooked for our group. It’s unfortunate to hear about the disorganization and questionable hygiene on your trip.

My friend and I just booked the G Adventures tour for the end of July / early August and we are super excited! Thank you for this very helpful article. Will definitely help us in preparing and packing, and knowing what to expect.

Those are really helpful information and a nice teaser for the trek. I’ll be doing the trip with G soon as well.
Could you tell me how they’ve organized the big luggage? Do you leave behind at some accommodation or it will be brought all the way with horses/mules?

Hi Mircea,
Great to hear that you’ll soon be on the G Adventures Lost City Trek. As for your big luggage, just leave it behind at the hotel in Santa Marta. They will keep it for you until you return from the trek.

Think about leaving it in the hotel you will be going to AFTER the trek. If, for example, you are staying in Palomino after (lovely, and closer than Sta Mta) it would be a pain to go back into town (90 min) and out again.

Thank you so much for such elaborate article!
I’m going to Colombia for 3 weeks and thinking about fitting this in my schedule. But do wander whether it will suit me as I’m not an experienced hiker and physically not super fit. I’ve done some tough hikes, but I’ve always been very afraid of descending, especially if you can see the edge of the mountain.

Is the Lost City hike steep and narrow? Do you get the ‘falling of the edge’ feeling there?

Hi Dongqing,
Although the Lost City trek does have some steep hills, I don’t remember it as being particularly narrow or feeling like we were close to cliffs or edges where we could slide off. Most of it is in a rainforest so the path goes between the trees.

As for other hikes in Colombia that might be flatter, perhaps look into hiking in the cloud forest of Cocora Valley in coffee country (Armenia), This is more of a day hike vs. multi-day hike, but it is beautiful and really unique (see #10 here: https://uncorneredmarket.com/25-travel-experiences-colombia/).

Enjoy your three weeks in Colombia! It is a beautiful and diverse place!

I asked on this site almost a year ago about travelling to the lost City with kids. We returned last night from the four day trek with 4 adults and kids (15, 13, 10, 10). We used Wiwa tours.

Absolutely unforgettable experience and well worth it with the kids. They were younger/ significantly younger than anyone else we saw but all made it through and were delighted despite 1x fever and 1x stomach bug.

3 of the 4 (the younger ones) were very physically active anyway, and this showed through.

However we did realise on day 2 that with illness we would need help. We thus hired a mule (350,000 pesos for the rest of the trek) which was an absolute godsend. Meant the kids could take turns for a short break if they wanted to (or if they simply wanted to ride for fun). The mule also carried the 2 heaviest backpacks which helped (they were quite heavy as had most of kids stuff in as well as adults).

Worth noting that there are parts of trek (including final climb to the city) that the mules cannot do/ cannot do with riders, so they should be considered a help with the trek, not a substitute for some pretty significant walking (middle 2 days were 12 hours long with breaks).

Also need to be conscious that sleeping conditions are basic (at each site the organisers made sure kids got beds, not hammocks which helped), and they need to be non-fussy eaters. There is no choice of menu (the food is good), and the fuel is needed.

This trip has really made the holiday. Now time to chill by the Carribean Sea. (Hotel Aite in Palomino is fabulous- stayed on the way up, but unfortunately fully booked for the New Year)

Andrew, thank you for returning and letting us know how your Lost City trek went with children. Really appreciate you sharing this invaluable first-hand experience. So glad that it was such a great experience and this was one of the highlights of your visit to Colombia! Sounds like you and the guides were able to adjust and figure things out with the mules and other help. Yes, the campsites are pretty basic (hopefully you didn’t come across fleas!) and the food is hearty and meant to fuel you for the long walks, but doesn’t offer a lot of options.

Enjoy your chilling time by the Caribbean Sea and a very happy 2018 to you and your family!

Hi ,
Thanks for the detailed info, I would like to ask about your luggage whilst doing the trek did you leave it in your hotel/hostel? or can you leave your stuff with the company you’re booking your trek with?

Nikka,
Both options are possible. We left our luggage at our hotel in Santa Marta and then stayed there for another night when we returned from the trek. This was the easiest option for us. We also saw other travelers leave their luggage at the trekking agency/tour company’s office. Have a great trek!

Dear Audrey,
thank you for this wonderful post. This has made me even more excited about goingto Ciudad Perdida!
I have a question concerning bedbugs. My nightmare. A traveller suggested carrying a personal hammock, which I found a genius idea.
Do you think I should get a random small backpack that I could throw away after the trip in case I would find any bedbugs, or will it hurt my back too much?
Should I buy some anti-bedbugs spray to spray all of my belongings, just in case?
What kind of bed linen would you recommend for it not to be attacked by bedbugs?

Dear Maze,
We just talked to a traveler who did the Lost City Trek recently and he said there were no bedbugs or fleas at the campsites. Hopefully, you’ll find the same during your upcoming trip.

Couple of thoughts regarding protecting yourself from bedbugs:
1) Use a silk sleep sack as the silk is supposed to not let bedbugs through.
2) Carry a plastic garbage bag and wrap your backpack and clothes in it at the campsites. This isn’t 100% foolproof, but it will add an extra layer of protection to your items.
3) Immediately take all your clothes and backpack to a laundromat at the end of the trek.
4) You could spray your things, but I imagine bedbug spray is pretty toxic so you may not want those chemicals on your skin.

About Us

We are Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott, the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind Uncornered Market. From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. Through our stories, advisory, and speaking we are creating a movement of travelers who live at the intersection of adventure, deep travel and life experiences, and caring for our planet and its people. More than 90 countries later, we are still going...and still married. Read More

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